Freedom of thought and expression could lead one astray.
Always there exists the temptation to tread on dangerous ground.
Ingrained ideas and habits become lax.
Therefore, ever careful one must be.
Happiness cannot be found only in material things.
Interpretation of facts has to be honest.
Sincerity must guide every step made in life.
Away from temptation the path should lead.
Prophets of deceit abound and doubt is sown.
Only those who possess strength of spirit will survive.
Watchful eyes will avert dangers, snares and pitfalls.
Easy it is to fall prey to false beauty and bright allure.
Rivers attract, but the currents can be strong, overpowering.
Fulfilment depends on knowledge.
Ultimately, it is trust and confidence that lead to spiritual growth.
Love of the Almighty provides enlightenment.
That is why a strong will and courage are needed.
He who perseveres builds a personal understanding with God.
It is through grace and obedience that faith flourishes.
Never is faith a step in the dark for it leads to the light.
God is forever available to all those who believe.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contest: Faith Is a Powerful Thing (2014)
Sponsor: Mystic Rose
Placed: 2nd

Faithful days and restful nights, he lived through storm and drought.
A promise fulfilled, the Lord gave him love and salvation.
I watched him each day pray, worship and serve others devout,
Taking the hand of Jesus, he walked in light of redemption.
Happily, he would share God’s love with all who would listen.
In dark of midnight hour, he felt the warmth of a rising sun.
Standing at his heart’s door, the light of the Lord’s love glistened,
And turning the knob, a gift to give, his battle had been won.
Problems soon came, illness threatened, from the Lord, away he turned.
Often he would raise his fists, shouting in blame with trembling rage.
Where light once glowed bright from within, now his anger burned,
Echoing thoughts of his loss, his weak body on fallen stage.
Restless were his nights and bitter the endless days of grief.
Forgiveness would take a miracle, so I prayed for a new start.
Unwavering was my diligence, I knew his earthly days were brief.
Like lightning to the tallest tree, the greatest love at last pierced his heart.
To the cross, he was carried where Jesus paid the ultimate price.
He surrendered, remembering he was never forsaken.
I felt the peace with his last breath and steadfast love suffice.
Never to be burdened by this world’s sickness, sorrow and sin.
Given gift of heavenly light, one day I’ll see him again.
For Mystic Rose's Faith Is A Powerful Thing Contest, 1/10/15
*a work of fiction, but the faith and feelings are true.

Fear not the tempest;
All powers belong to me.
In whatever situation you may be
Trust in me with all your heart
Heaven will surely lift you up.
I am that I am is my name,
Salvation is in no other ways.
At all times remember:
Prayer is the master key;
Obedience is all I want.
Worship me without season,
Exalt my name with holiness,
Regard my word and my name,
Fellowship in the gathering of saints,
Utter not with your tongue blasphemy,
Love your neighbour as you love yourself.
Then I your God shall excel you:
High you shall be above all calamities;
In sea and on the land you will triumph.
Nations shall hear your name and bow.
God I am, yes I can; shake not in faith.

T~he minds eye closes and envisages the overflowing of true love from one's
H~eart, gravitating to thy One and Only;
E~scaping in conjunction with
B~rackish water adjoining to thy feet; taking note of the wind whispering
E~ver so seamlessly through thine ears while striding upon the seashore.
A~ccompanied by incessant love; keeping hold of hands on no
U~nearthly occasion of relinquishing. Kissing til nightfall loses its color
T~o the openings of daybreak; swimming amongst the creatures of sea
Y~earning to never part, til the extent life ventures to vanish...yet...
O~ftentimes the minds eye reopens to reality; though
F~or the time being
L~et's live every moment as
O~ur last, tracing God first and
V~ersifying our lives to that of the world as such...
E~veryone shall witness and behold The Beauty of L~O~V~E.
Pace, G.
INK-U-SCRIPT
08-06-2012

Faith is a powerful thing,
asking for absolute trust.
It allows you to believe
that you are not all alone,
here in the shadow of death.
In times of persecution,
some souls have little else.
And yet it’s unshakeable.
Praying perpetuates hope,
opening your heart to God.
When you first feel Him enter,
everything in life changes.
Routine tasks take new meaning,
filling existence with purpose.
Until then you felt empty,
languishing in misery.
The love between you and God,
has only strengthened your faith.
It’s His love that sustains you,
not the words of those that say
God is nothing more than myth.

P ierced for our transgressions,
A crown of thorns upon His head.
I ndecent agony Jesus suffered,
D ying to give us life instead.
I niquities demanded payment.
N one of us worthy to pay the price.
F aithful Father provided ransom,
U nfailing love turned into sacrifice.
L aying down His life for sinners,
L isten: Jesus paid sin's full price.
2/20/12 for Brian Strand's up to 12 lines max. contest.

Jesus~
Earned his name~
Suffered all the pain~
Under the hands of men~
Settled with hate against him~
Compassionately he forgave them still~
He loved us then and he always will~
Rising he gave us the right to survive~
Intoxicating he is to all of our lives~
Supplying our each and every need~
Thank you father, For blessing me~
Our king above kings~
Understanding he brings~
Radiant he is indeed~
Living for Christ is the greatest thing~
Only in him may you rest in peace~
Remember each day to trust and forgive~
Divided from him is no way to live~

Faith is a powerful thing.
Awakening the strength inside,
I have never forgotten how it felt,
To have faith when I was fallen.
Hold my hand, he says, it takes faith to stand.
I fought the waves of change, save me.
Save this sinner from drowning.
And he answered my cries.
Prayers echoes from my lips to the sky.
Opening, the heaven shined upon me.
Whispers grew louder and said
Embrace change and grow
Remember I will be there to catch you.
Falling does not mean failure.
Unleash your fears and rise again.
Lord, I will trust. I will defeat this addiction.
Time punished my body with withdraws.
Hurt handed me reasons to give up.
I did not give up, because God was watching.
Now I stand clean and cleansed.
God gave me strength for faith is a powerful thing.
For Contest: Faith is a powerful thing
Date: January 10, 2015

Jesus wants us to come with a willing heart
Everyone has free will
Saves all who believe in him and confess in his name
Unto him freely come all to him freely give he will
Save with his love, mercy,hope,and grace

Mountains crumble no more to be
Oceans of woe since you left me
Thunder rolls and my heart it breaks
Humbly life ends, my soul it quakes
Everlasting grief with no mend
Reminds me daily, it will not bend
Inconceivable, this pain I bear
My love's not gone, together we'll share
In lasting glory at Jesus' feet
Serenity and grace, oh how sweet
Salvation unites on heaven's shore
Yesterday's gone, tomorrow brings more
Only a moment in time we wait
Until we meet at heaven's gate

G rowth requires the reins of pain, the curing singe of fire
I nside we shrink, we quiver, quake but we rise inspired
V ictory through vice, challenge hardens resolve, lifts higher
I nnocence belayed, tried, can raise us whole, entire.
N ever damn the pain, decline the fight, rise, with life conspire
G od knows what's best this I believe what comes must transpire.
T he faint of heart, will never know the crucible, the pyre
H aving never risked the plunge, never left the flowery briar
A nd angrily bemoaned the dark, the pain, the fret conspired
N ever giving thanks for the test, the trials which seem most dire
K iss the ring, the ground, blow kisses skyward to the Holy Crier
S uch gifts as these diverse and free, all necessary and desired.
Contest Count Your Blessings
Date: 11/14/12

Gods Grace
Opens our hearts and our mind
Delivers us from sin of every kind
Savation he gave us for free
Abiding in you and Abiding in me
Victory came when he conquored the grave
Every life he came to save
Saviour of the world
Unique in every way
Strength he gives us to face every day
if the son has set us free we are free indeed
never will he leave us
never will he forsake us
Amen

Have faith my friend God knows you're story
At times it seems he doesn't listen but you know it isn't so
Verily I say onto thee, "He loves you like no other"
Every child of his is important, you and Bobbie too!
Faith doesn't always give us the answers we seek but it does give us strength
At times life can be a challenge, but in his strength we lose our weak
I know that if you believe you will benefit from his presence
Truth is we are mere humans, at times we need his super power
He loves us with an merciful compassion and he never forgets us
Carolyn,
Approach him with a faithful heart
Rest in the knowledge that he is healing her precious heart
Opulence and gifts of mercy he shall bestow on her & you
Love is the nurturing balm that heals all ills
Never forget to give him thanks for they years she shared with you
Love you Carolyn,
Mystic Rose xxx

~The Bible~
(Acrostic)
T-he most fascinating book ever written, filled of so many
H-istorical facts and wonderful hopes for the future,
E-nvolving mankind at every level with God, our Creator
B-ook filled of so many hopes and promises with
I-ntructions on how to live a better life here,
B-efore departing this earth, which could guide us and
L-ead us to our Heavenly abode, after a very personal,
E-ncounter with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour.
Dorian Petersen Potter
aka ladydp2000
copyright@2011
October.5.2015

~In His Image~
(Acrostic)
In his image He’s created us all
New things are all possible in His name
He’s our Father. He watches from Heaven
Indeed He deserves all the Glory
Son of God, Jesus Christ is our Savior
Infinite love He pours us all. He surely
Moves my spirits with His Infinite Love
Angels worship and serve Him constantly
God our Father is full of love and mercy
Enjoy forever all His blessings.
Dorian Petersen Potter
Aka ladydp2000
copyright@2009
December.12.2015

S eek the Lord and you will find Him.
A sk Him to come into your heart.
L ove God with all your heart, soul and mind.
V ow to follow Him all of your life.
A cknowledge Jesus as your Savior and Lord.
T rust Him to forgive all of your sins.
I nvite the Lord to have His way in your life.
O bey the commands of His word.
N othing is impossible with God.

Vast oceans of light
In the night flowing over us through you and me cant you see
Now there it is again light light love so faithful
Ever seeing clearer there is again light light light treasures so unmeasurable in
such a
Small weak vessel there is again light light light light
Oh ignites a fire consuming all
There yet nothing lost light light light light light
Rising brighter than yesterday will ever be light light light light light light
Under his guiding care
Everlasting so good there is again light light light light light light light resting in
HIS LOVE

Carried His cross for mine, suffering for my sins
Head hung low, he cried out, Father, forgive them...
Risen on the third day, my Savior, King of kings
I repent, He forgives, my name added to the Book of Life
Salvation is His gift to mankind, eternal life the reward
Teacher who came for the world giving light to darkness
the Way, the Truth, the Life (John 14:6)

C-alled as soldier of the Lord,
O-n duty twenty-four-seven;
L-acking not for faith and love,
L-osing not hope for God in heaven.
E-arnest to extol the Almighty,
G-iving top importance to Him;
E-ven though there are trials, he still praises His holy name.
O-ft times he's in spiritual war, conquering the enemy's lair;
F-ocused to win over the evil tricks, exposing false tenets in the air.
E-nemies of faith in resilience,
V-icious lies in threatening stance;
A-rmed though with the sword of truth,
N-ever shall foes go the distance.
G-od's soldier is well-disciplined,
E-xemplary in managing time;
L-etting not the hour be wasted
I-n obeying His will so sublime.
C-all of duty is utmost priority,
A-ccepting no other endeavor;
L-abor in the field of the Lord is his noble task and fervor.
M-an of highest integrity,
I-ncorruptible in words and in mind;
N-o deed done in dishonesty,
I-n morality he's so inclined.
S-oldier of the Lord is firm,
T-hinking not of material things;
R-emaining to be brave and loyal,
Y-earning to gain eternal blessings.

i can't take it,
i can't take your smile,
I can't take your laugh,
i can't take your hugs and i can't take your looking at me,
i can't take that i sit here waiting,
i can't take not knowing how you feel,
i can't take how you never come over,
and i can't take that you may not care,
i can't take it that im hurting
i can't take that i cry,
i can't take it that i love you so much that i would truely just die.

S mile and laugh often
E njoy beauty, where and when
R eject deceit and all pretence
E arn respect of fellow men-
N ever worry what others have done
I n faith trust in God's own Son-
T hen leaving this world a better place
Y ou can look your maker ..face to face